One day, a hunter visited Akbar’s court. He showed Akbar a strange rabbit and said, “I found this heavenly rabbit in the forest. Please accept my gift.” The rabbit had many colours and indeed looked heavenly. Akbar said, “I am happy with your gift. I shall give you a hundred gold coins as a reward.” […]
One day, an artist came to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, would you like me to paint the likeness of your beautiful palace?” Akbar happily agreed. The artist walked around the palace with his canvas and painted it from every angle. A few days later, the painting was ready. Everyone in the court was impressed
Once, a shepherd and his neighbour came to Akbar’s court to resolve their fight. The shepherd said, “Your Majesty, my neighbour’s wall fell and my sheep died under it. My neighbour is not paying me for the loss.” The neighbour said, “Your Majesty, it’s the mason’s fault. He did not use quality material to make
One day, an old man came to see Akbar. He said, “Your Majesty, my son and daughter-in-law have thrown me out of the house. What shall I do now?” Birbal said, “Your Majesty, I have a plan.” Birbal took the old man with him and told him his plan. Then he said, “Go home and
One day, Akbar and Birbal were walking in the royal garden, discussing an important issue. Just then, Akbar said, “See, how lazy that servant is! He has been resting under the tree since the time we came here. I will throw him out!” Birbal said, “Please have patience, Your Majesty. I shall turn him into
One night, Akbar dreamt of a floating palace studded with gemstones. Next day, in the court, he narrated the dream to all his courtiers. He could not forget the dream. Then he thought of playing a prank on his courtiers. He said, “I will give twenty sacks of gold coins to anyone who builds the
Once, an intelligent man from a faraway country visited Akbar’s kingdom. He had heard of Birbal’s wisdom and wanted to meet him. Birbal invited the man to his house. They enjoyed discussing many topics. After a while, the man said, “Sir, please offer me a few words of wisdom.” Birbal smiled. Then he asked his
One day, a man entered Akbar’s court and said, “Your Majesty, I have a special skill. I can train animals to speak like human beings.” Akbar asked him, “Can you train my horse?” The man said, “Certainly, Your Majesty! But I need a lot of money. It will take ten years to train your horse.”
One morning, the topic of discussion in the royal court centred on women and loyalty. But Birbal said, “Women cannot keep secrets, Your Majesty!” Akbar asked, “Can you prove it?” Birbal said, “Give me a week, Your Majesty!” Next day, Birbal pretended to be crying in his room. His wife asked, “Why are you crying,
A young man was about to jump into a well. Birbal said, “Stop! What’s the matter?” The man said, “I wanted to be a farmer but it didn’t rain. The crops died. I tried to be a shepherd, but a wolf killed my sheep. I am fed up!” Birbal said, “Come with me!” He took
One day, Akbar and Birbal were strolling along the banks of the Yamuna. Suddenly, they heard people shouting. When they went near, they saw some people standing around a man. The man bowed and said, “Your Majesty, my wife left home in the morning to bring water from the river. She has not returned. I
Once, Emperor Akbar gave Birbal five elephants. Birbal thanked the emperor and took them home. After some days, Birbal went to the marketplace to sell the elephants. One of Akbar’s guards saw this and complained to Akbar. Akbar was angry. He said, “How can he sell the gifts that I have given him?” He took
Once, a thief broke into Birbal’s house. When Birbal woke up due to the noise, the thief hid in a dark corner behind a lamp. The place was dusty and the thief sneezed. Birbal stood at a distance from the lamp and said, “Dear Lamp, why are you quiet tonight? Is there someone else in
One day, Emperor Akbar said to Birbal, “I have a challenge that you cannot face.” Surprised, Birbal asked, “What is it, Your Majesty?” Akbar said, “The oldest member of this court is a serious man. Let’s see how you bring me his nightwear without asking him to give them to you.” Birbal said, “I always
Jumman and Imam were Birbal’s neighbours. One day, Jumman complained to Akbar that Imam had stolen brinjals from his field. But Imam said, “Your Majesty, I took the brinjals with the permission of Jumman’s field. Akbar asked, “Can you explain yourself?” Imam said, “Before plucking a brinjal, I asked, ‘O Field! Shall I pluck one